Narrative:

Amman control released the crew to jeddah control; who immediately issued a reroute clearance. Whilst the crew inserted the reroute clearance into the FMS; a request was made for climb clearance to FL390. Pilot not flying read back the climb clearance; however; no response was received from jeddah control. Pilot flying complied with the perceived clearance; initiating climb to FL390. Poor communications reception as well as language issues compelled the pilot flying to terminate the climb and return to the previously assigned altitude of FL330 until confirmation of the clearance from jeddah control. Climb was terminated at FL338; a deviation of 800 ft. Upon return to FL330; the controller excitedly asked 'are you making an uncommanded climb?' pilot not flying replied 'negative;' and before pilot not flying could query jeddah controller about the altitude assignment; the controller started asking if aircraft was descending. The aircraft was back level at FL330 at that time and pilot not flying responded; 'negative; we are at FL330.' jeddah controller responded; 'I see you descending!' pilot not flying replied; 'we are level at FL330.' jeddah control then issued a clearance to maintain FL340; stating no conflict existed. Crew maintained FL330; requesting confirmation from jeddah control of the climb clearance to FL340. Jeddah control issued a subsequent clearance to maintain FL330; followed by a climb clearance to FL390 and instructions to contact the next sector; riyadh control. The scenario was further hampered by the presence of a passenger; further diverting the attention of the crew in an attempt to reply to his inquiry pertaining to arrival into dubai. Poor communications and language differences; combined with the following factors; contributed to the sequence of events: 1) unintelligible communication between controller and crew. 2) crew operating in the middle east for the first time. 3) reroute assignment in an unfamiliar environment. 4) intrusion of a passenger at a critical phase of flight (reroute assignment).

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DA50 flight crew initiates climb without a clearance.

Narrative: Amman Control released the crew to Jeddah Control; who immediately issued a reroute clearance. Whilst the crew inserted the reroute clearance into the FMS; a request was made for climb clearance to FL390. Pilot not flying read back the climb clearance; however; no response was received from Jeddah Control. Pilot flying complied with the perceived clearance; initiating climb to FL390. Poor communications reception as well as language issues compelled the pilot flying to terminate the climb and return to the previously assigned altitude of FL330 until confirmation of the clearance from Jeddah Control. Climb was terminated at FL338; a deviation of 800 FT. Upon return to FL330; the Controller excitedly asked 'Are you making an uncommanded climb?' Pilot not flying replied 'Negative;' and before pilot not flying could query Jeddah Controller about the altitude assignment; the Controller started asking if aircraft was descending. The aircraft was back level at FL330 at that time and pilot not flying responded; 'Negative; we are at FL330.' Jeddah Controller responded; 'I see you descending!' Pilot not flying replied; 'We are level at FL330.' Jeddah Control then issued a clearance to maintain FL340; stating no conflict existed. Crew maintained FL330; requesting confirmation from Jeddah Control of the climb clearance to FL340. Jeddah Control issued a subsequent clearance to maintain FL330; followed by a climb clearance to FL390 and instructions to contact the next sector; Riyadh Control. The scenario was further hampered by the presence of a passenger; further diverting the attention of the crew in an attempt to reply to his inquiry pertaining to arrival into Dubai. Poor communications and language differences; combined with the following factors; contributed to the sequence of events: 1) Unintelligible communication between Controller and Crew. 2) Crew operating in the Middle East for the first time. 3) Reroute assignment in an unfamiliar environment. 4) Intrusion of a passenger at a critical phase of flight (reroute assignment).

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.